Met chief cuts short radio interview to chase thief

BRITAIN'S top policeman interrupted a radio interview yesterday to chase a thief.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe was taking part in the pre-recorded interview for BBC London when a minicab driver asked for help, saying four passengers had run off without paying and one had stolen money from his cab.

The Commissioner immediately jumped into a police car to pursue the suspects, later making an arrest in a nearby street.

Sir Bernard, was being interviewed by Drivetime presenter Eddie Nestor near Bruce Grove station in Tottenham, north London, on the issue of budget cuts.

In the interview, which featured on yesterday’s show, Sir Bernard was heard asking the cab driver if he knew where the suspect was, adding: “I’m going to go with you.”

Scotland Yard said: “Commissioner Hogan-Howe arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of theft after being flagged down by local taxi driver.” The driver, who gave his name as Mohammed, told the BBC a passenger took £20 from his dashboard before running away.

He said: “When I see the police, I ask the police, please can you stop the guys?”

Sir Bernard has made an arrest at every rank he has held since becoming an officer in 1979

He said he was not aware who the officer was, but described him as a “very good, very kind” man.

It is understood the Commissioner’s bodyguard, who got into the car with Sir Bernard, arrested another suspect nearby.

It is not the first time Sir Bernard has gone back to his “bobby” roots.

In 2006, when he was chief constable of Merseyside, he chased and arrested a suspected drink-driver in Liverpool.

It means Sir Bernard has made an arrest at every rank he has held since becoming an officer in 1979.